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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part II
There's reasons why the Takahashi Epsilon costs over $5000. One of which is that the Epsilon can cover a 44mm image circle. Another is that the Epsilon is very sturdily built, so collimation doesn't...
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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part III
After last night's funky stars, I decided to make some modifications to the Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian in an attempt to improve the optical performance.From this very good blog post I was able to...
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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part IV
Found out that collimation is still shifting even with the relocated locking knobs, so I decided to do the next step and replace the collimation springs with stiffer ones.Looked through RS Online and...
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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part V
I am still seeing comatic stars in the AT8IN in spite of my best efforts. Before adjusting the laser collimator, I have decided to stiffen up the Newtonian tube some more, using a much larger aluminum...
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Simple Mount Modeling and Long Exposure Unguided Imaging with Linux
I've written some software that provides simple mount modeling along a track in Right Ascension. This mechanism models the mount and telescope flexure, non-orthogonality, polar mis-alignment, as well...
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Berlebach Planet Tripod
I finally gave up on building my own exquisite wooden tripod, and instead ordered a Planet tripod (short version) from Berlebach Mulda. The reason for getting the short version is that cost of...
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Arduino-based Motor Focuser Controller
Everybody it seems has written their own Arduino-based motor focuser controller, of which the most popular is probably the SGL Observatory Automation version. There also is ArduinoFocus, which...
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ED Doublet Versus FPL-53 Triplet
I just received my (used, $350) Stellarvue SV80ED doublet refractor. I'd sold off a bunch of off-axis guider stuff and my ST80 to buy it. My main goal was to have a decent guide scope, but also a...
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Dual-Axis Custom Tracking Rates for Long-Duration Unguided Exposures
I have refined my plate-solving and path-modeling software for my Astro-Physics Mach1. The principle remains the same: the mount and SBIG camera are under the control of Linux software that I wrote...
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Motorizing a Vixen Polaris Mount
I purchased another Vixen Polaris mount.. for $80 (plus another $100-odd for shipping from the US). Should never have sold the first one.. (this one, with a William-Optics Zenithstar 70ED that I also...
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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part VI
The never-ending saga of the Astro-Tech imaging newtonian continues. After my last update, Ipurchased a Feathertouch focuser and motor, and made an Arduino focuser controllerused a much larger, 2mm...
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Motorizing a Vixen Polaris Mount, Part II
I finally got around to re-making the motor bracket, and made a tripod attachment to the Vixen ring mounting points (there is no saddle). The Polaris carries the Stellarvue 80ED and DSLR quite well....
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Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Portable EQ Mount
I purchased this portable mount in London from The Widescreen Centre in London (very close to Baker Street!) instead of lugging my old Vixen Polaris to the UK. I got the "Astro-Photo Bundle" for...
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Sky Watcher Star Adventurer, Part II
I had an old counterweight shaft and counterweight for an EQ1 mount lying around (the EQ1 had already broken some years back and I had thrown it away). The shaft has a large-pitch thread on one side,...
View ArticleSirui R2004 Tripod for Astronomy
I was looking for a lightweight tripod that would fit in carry-on baggage and be useful for my Star Adventurer. The Sirui R2004 tripod seemed like the perfect fit: it is 520mm collapsed (will fit...
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Skywatcher Star Adventurer Tripod
I wanted to find a more suitable tripod than the flimsy Benro A350EX, and less clumsy than the Vixen Polaris tripod. I initially purchased a Sirui N2204X, carbon fibre, with detachable leg, etc. It...
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Dell Inspiron 13 7347 Review
UPDATE 21 June 2015:The problem has not been resolved, but I have managed to prevent the ghost touches from flaring up by being very careful with the notebook. Do not change the screen angle by...
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Takahashi EM-11 Temma 2 Jr. Review
I have had the misfortune of going through very many mounts through the years: two EQ-1's (one Orion and one Barska), two Vixen Polaris, one Vixen GP, a Celestron CGEM, Astro-Physics 600E QMD,...
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Astro-Tech 8" Imaging Newtonian, Part VII
I've blogged extensively about the modifications and improvements I've made to my Astro-Tech AT8IN Imaging Newtonian.Part 1 - spacing the Keller reducer, and first lightPart 2 - oblong stars, and...
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Berlebach Dovetail Clamp with Shoe for Takahashi EM-11
One problem with the Takahashi EM-11 (and EM-200) is that they are designed for Takahashi tube clamps, and don't come with a Vixen or Losmandy dovetail saddle.ADM Accessories is probably the only...
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